it takes a village

On Saturday I leave for Hot Springs and all I can think about is "the village." You know, like, "it takes a village."

My thankfulness cup is flooding..serious OVERFLOW.  My heart is bursting at the seams.  Some AMAZING people have gotten me to this point and I just want to cry when I think about the sacrifices they've made for me.

There is LITERALLY a village of incredible gifts from God (people) who have helped me get to this point and I swear I would be so lost without them.  There is absolutely positively no way that a girl could get to Miss Arkansas on her own and I can't help but think that my village is the best village ever.  Praise the Lord for all of you humans!

I mean y'all, this pageant thing is amazing.  To someone who totally doesn't understand, I try to explain it just like sports:

There's a "team" (or two) that you're on...team *insert titleholder*

There is day in and day out preparation.

There is a public platform.
There is the amazing responsibility of being a role model.

There is a mind-game to be won.  Mind over matter.

There is competition...kind of ;) because you love them so much.

There is celebration when you win.

There is growth when you don't.

There are amazing friendships that you carry with you forever with people who "understand" in a way that no one else can.

There are mentors.

There are countless, selfless volunteers.

There are dedicated historians.
There are sometimes critics, too.

There is even a literal ring for the winner (hahahah insert Super Bowl comparison)...I love this specific comparison so much.

It's kind of one in the same! -- and kind of totally not all at the same time.

So that being said, a village is ABSOLUTELY necessary to prepare the "team." See?

I can't help but share this simple shout out to all of the people who got me to this point.  We are TWO FULL DAYS from Miss Arkansas Arrival and I can't wait another minute to scream it from the mountaintops that I am so lucky to have the squad of guidance and love and support that I do at this point.

No matter what happens, "my" crew will always be the reason that I keep coming back.  I stand on the shoulders of people who are holding me up and boosting me on.  They are a main part of the reason I do it year after year.  It's incredible what empowerment does for a person!

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 2

^^^  THANK YOU to each and every single person who has lived this out and showed me what this means.  ^^^

I WISH that I could specifically name every single one of you, but time won't allow.  One day I'll be able to say exactly why and how God has used you in my life and just how much of a blessing you are to me.  I know you know who you are -- every family member, friend, coach, director, sponsor, "cheerleader," etc...all I can say is thank you for believing in me.  I LOVE YOU!!!

It's go-time for Miss Arkansas 2016, team!!!!  Let's go give God His glory, and let's go have fun!

XOXO-
Mag

Reflecting: My Platform

As I prepare to leave in two weeks for the Miss Arkansas pageant, I am spending a lot of extra time reflecting.  So much preparation goes into a pageant, y'all.  Who knew! One thing that I've really been reflecting on as the pageant approaches is the importance of my platform.  I decided to write another blog about it, simply because I am continually amazed at how powerful philanthropy is in a community setting.  I have grown to believe this even more just since the last time I was at the state pageant in 2015.

When I created my platform, Giving Is a Gift, I never knew what that phrase would grow to mean to me over my time as an advocate for philanthropy.  I've learned so much about why giving really is a gift, and how much one person really can do to help others.

The past 365 days have been very humbling.  I've been able to be a part of multiple "movements" for incredible philanthropic efforts and they have made an insane impact on my desire to advocate for giving in general. During that time, one unique "giving" opportunity arose when I was selected to serve an amazing philanthropy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as Philanthropy Chair for Chi Omega at the University of Arkansas.  Receiving this position was definitely exciting, as I looked at it through an optimistic lens.  I had really high hopes for what over 400 young women could do for this cause in one year's time.  Additionally, I was thrilled to be able to directly relate it to my Miss Arkansas platform.

When I stepped into my role, our chapter had raised over $27,000 the year prior.  A huge accomplishment for us!  I set a goal of $40,000 for that upcoming year, and I really looked at that number as a huge challenge, secretly hoping we would actually be able to pull it off.  After setting our goal high, I began to think of ways to empower the group by looking at former success stories, brainstorming new events, and researching numbers from other chapters.  Once all of the ideas were on paper, I began to plan events and get things in order with the help of some amazing friends and advisors.  Months later it was the end of our first semester, and we had already matched our previous year's fundraising amount.  I say this not to boast, but to prove a point that with a little bit of strategic planning and encouragement, a group of people can really do some amazing things.  (Not to mention the quick shameless plug for the value of Greek Life when sometimes the media can tend to only highlight its negatives.)

That summer, I spent a lot of time deciding how we would make $13,000 more the following semester to reach our goal.  After lots of consideration, I decided to do an event called #OneDayOneGoalXO that would be completely social media and marketing driven, and would encourage donors to give, on that day, through an online link. After doing the math, my team and I realized that we could do something amazing – like $30,000 amazing.  I presented a speech to the chapter and hoped for the best.  Long story short, a few days later we actually did it. I cried the entire night, in awe that we’d raised $30,000 by 7:00pm.  It was moving for me to see what people were saying on social media about how good it felt to be a part of something like this campaign.  After a few more events, we were able to announce that together we’d raised a total of $72,535 in 2015. It was amazing to see everyone’s joy because they knew that in the long run, they had changed multiple children's lives for the better.  It was definitely a group effort and nothing that I ever could have done without the encouragement of my sisters and advisors.  But WOW, was I shaken up by the ability of this group to do something so amazing for kids in their community who needed a bright light in their life like Make-A-Wish.

It’s things like these that give me a renewed appreciation and drive for promoting community service as a titleholder.  I will never stop encouraging Arkansans to find a community service that they love, and commit to do something amazing and unexpected for it.  And in return, I hope that my family and friends will continue to remind me of the importance so that I won't ever grow tired of this important piece of societal success. Ultimately, everyone should have the opportunity to know that being proactive in service will make them feel encouraged and fulfilled. I have personally benefitted by that humbling and empowering fact, and I hope that all of y'all will, too!

Check back soon for more updates as the 2016 pageant gets closer and closer.  I think I speak for most contestants when I say that this time is always the best part of preparation because you're able to spend a lot of time reflecting on all of the goodness that this organization provides.

Introducing "Giving Is a Gift"

"It is better to give than to receive."

My personal platform within the Miss Arkansas system has stemmed from many of my past experiences. I mainly created "Giving Is a Gift" because of my work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the lasting impression that being a philanthropist has had one me.  My work with Make-A-Wish began in the fifth grade when my friend, Ellie Stafford, and I were able to raise $1,000 for the organization at our elementary school.  Since then, I have been exposed to the goodness of this organization and realized that I LOVE giving people a big moment -- I love granting a WISH! It's power is so big!

Giving to others benefits those whom we help and also benefits the one who gives.  The rewards of giving to others are numerous and most are fairly obvious.  When we can share with others, our kind acts reach far beyond here and now.  Philanthropy is more than donating financially.  It is serving and giving your time and resources!

It is so important to find an organization or cause that you love, and wholeheartedly give back.  So I've created my platform to encourage others to find a philanthropy or organization they love, and give back in their communities.  No matter what arena of philanthropy YOU choose to serve, I encourage you to leave your positive mark on society.

Recently, all Miss Arkansas contestants partook in a photo shoot that would represent our personal platforms.  This is my photo for this year:

Thanks Kattie Hansen for our pictures!!
Y'all, I sure would love your vote on the Miss Arkansas website.  Votes are $1 and go toward giving the contestants with the most votes a $1,000 scholarship.

To vote visit, missarkansas.org/photoshoot

Thank you for your love and support in my journey to Miss Arkansas! I'm having so much fun and couldn't do it without you!

2014

2014.

This year I will always remember.

This year I lost my granddaddy, Pop. I mourned, but felt the peace that passes all understanding. I have never felt more sure that Heaven is real.

I was initiated into Chi-O - a sorority that my grandmother, great aunt, aunt, sister, great grandmother, and cousin are all a part of. SO special to me!

I also moved into the Chi-O house and everyday was a crazy roller coaster ride..Though I would do it one hundred times over.

I went to my first Mardi Gras celebration.

My brother and Sarah got engaged..I'm getting another sister!!

I worked at Kanakuk Kamps and lived with thirteen 12-year-olds for three weeks. Best three weeks ever!

I spent Spring Break at the beach with my best friends.

I got to be Snow White! Seven dwarves, birds, a Prince, the whole nine yards.

I turned 19.

I saw both Beyonce and Ben Rector in concert.

I ate dinner in the Eiffel Tower, saw the Statue of David, rode in a gondola, walked around in the Colosseum, explored the Catacombs, went to The Vatican...traveled overseas for the first time!

I was crowned Miss Sorority Pledge Queen! That was a heck of a day. My entire pledge class came, made signs, screamed, danced. They're the best.

I met Baby Henry...my cousin Tripp and Megan's baby. We ALMOST had the same birthday! So close.

I got a "little"!!

I decided I wanted to work towards competing for Miss Arkansas again. I decided I would love to be Miss Heart of the Ozarks (a pageant that earns you a place in Miss Arkansas), and thankfully I got lucky.  My pageant crew is just so wonderful!

I went to Sigma Chi Ski Lodge.

I saw the Hogs beat Ole Miss 30-0 with my own two eyes!!!

I helped plan U of A Homecoming, and the cherry on top: Chi-O WON!

I learned something new every day, and a lot of lessons along the way.

for Pop

My cousin, Erin, said it best, "Today is the happiest day he's ever known. He's face to face with the One he loves the most."
She's right.  Pop has never seen a more exciting day.

I am typing from his computer, at his desk, in his study.  A place where books upon books have taught him and the Henry Ford quote on the wall reads, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether 20 or 90."  He knew and lived the bible and if you asked him a question, he had a reputable answer. He was the best teacher. He devoted his life to discipleship and lead people to Christ from the altar. If he was at home he was studying the Bible from this desk. Here are his keepsakes, old photographs, pictures of his family. This room is a tribute to him in itself and I am so happy to be here on this beautiful October day.

Pop overcame adversity as a child, losing his mother and father when he was young, but he went on to college and seminary and made a way for himself.  I loved hearing him tell those stories.

He was the best story teller. And he had the cutest sayings.

Pop taught me how to bake a homemade pecan pie with a homemade crust.  It was our favorite activity.

He made the most amazing oatmeal cookies and would carry them by the bags to hand out when we went on vacation.

When I was in elementary school, he hand built me a dollhouse on the back patio of his home in North Little Rock.  He painted it, and then Mimi and I decorated it with the wallpaper in their kitchen and added furniture.











I grew up going to camp and every single day of the two weeks, I would recieve a typed letter and a $1 bill telling me what he was up to and insisting I "have a Coke on him."

When he smiled, it was contagious.  When he spoke, it was either wise, or absolutely hilarious.  He gave my brother his sense of humor.

I have his voicemails where he called on all occasions to congratulate me or just say he was thinking about me. When I called he'd answer, "yello?"

He baptized me and officiated my cousin's weddings.

Everyone who knew him, loved him, and had great things to say about him.  He knew it, yet always answered compliments with the upmost humility.

He walked three miles a day.





The older he got the more he would fall asleep at random times, but while we were all asleep at the symphony, he was wide awake, hanging onto every note.  The day he was the guest director at the symphony was one of his favorite days ever.  I'll never forget it.

He loved to watch the hummingbirds from the breakfast table. His breakfast was just oh my word good.

Every time I would walk in his study he had classical music playing in the background.  When I sang a solo at church, he cried.

His hands were so smooth, and his hair so soft.  He gave the warmest hugs and had the softest touch.

He whistled Christmas carols all year long, everywhere he went.

He radiated joy.

His favorite place to be was at the ocean, watching the ships and the waves.  Fried shrimp was a must at every meal.

He loved his wife and cherished her the most.  He was by her side every waking moment. He valued what mattered most.  -- One moment I will never forget was when he was in the hospital last week, hanging on to life by a thread.  He had word salad and was not able to speak, he would only nod yes or no while he laid there resting with his eyes always shut.  That being said, every single time Mimi left his side to go to the Cafeteria, or the "little girl's room" (as he called it), he would begin to attempt climbing over the side of his bed, wanting to accompany her more than anything.









Last night, the most vibrant yellow pink red orange purple blue sunset concluded the last day of his life on Earth and opened the gate to eternity.







He is so happy so we can't miss him too much, but we are assured that we will be with him before we can blink.

I love you, Jerre Rose. See you soon.

"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will recieve me to glory.

Whom have I in Heaven but You?

And there is nothing on Earth that I desire besides You.

My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."